Build your skills in inclusive humanitarian action – for free!

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Everyone affected by humanitarian crises deserves to be seen, heard, and supported – including older people and those with disabilities, who are too often overlooked.

HelpAge International is working to change that by offering free online courses through the Kaya learning platform. These engaging, practical courses are designed to empower humanitarian workers with the knowledge and tools they need to build more inclusive responses.  

  1. Age and disability inclusion in humanitarian action

Understand the Humanitarian Inclusion Standards and how to apply them. 

This course introduces the Humanitarian Inclusion Standards (HIS) for older people and people with disabilities. It’s a great starting point for anyone new to inclusion or looking to strengthen their understanding. 

You’ll learn about: 

  • The needs, capacities and rights of older people and people with disabilities 
  • How to ensure their meaningful participation in humanitarian efforts 
  • Successes and challenges in promoting inclusion 
  • Key inclusion standards and how to apply them 
  • What it takes to build inclusive organisations 

Access the course here: Age and Disability Inclusion in Humanitarian Action  

 

  1. Helping older people in emergencies

Explore older people’s role in a humanitarian response and how to mainstream age inclusion.  

This course shows how age intersects with other vulnerabilities in emergencies. It offers practical ways to mainstream age inclusion across sectors, from health to food security. 

By the end of this course, you’ll understand: 

  • How age affects vulnerability during humanitarian crises 
  • How to collect and use age-disaggregated data 
  • Approaches to health, home-based and community care 
  • Protecting older people during emergencies 
  • Inclusive strategies for food security and livelihoods 

Access the course here: Helping Older People in Emergencies 

 

  1. Age-inclusive humanitarian interventions

Focus on mental health, autonomy, and protection of older people. 

This course delves into psychosocial support, gender-based violence, and the right to independent living for older people in crises. It’s especially useful for teams designing programmes or supporting caregivers. 

You’ll explore: 

  • What healthy ageing looks like in humanitarian contexts 
  • The importance of autonomy and independent living 
  • How to address gender-based violence among older people 
  • Rights-based approaches for older men and women with and without disabilities 
  • How to design age and disability-inclusive programming 

Access the course here: Age Inclusive Humanitarian Interventions 

 

Each of the above three courses take around three hours to complete and provide a certificate at the end. These courses are currently available in English, with plans to expand into other languages soon. 

Learn, act, include 

These courses are ideal for humanitarian practitioners, local responders, volunteers, and anyone looking to strengthen inclusive practice. Start learning today on Kaya and be part of a global movement making humanitarian action truly for all. 

 

Learn more about our work responding to humanitarian crises.